Irs Energy Rebate Scam

Recently, it has been reported that several Seminole County, Florida residents have been receiving phone calls from someone posing as an IRS agent claiming that they may be eligible to receive an energy rebate check. According to the caller, in order to receive the rebate, the caller must provide the following information: social security number, bank account information and or credit card number. Although, Seminole County has not identified any victims of this scam at this time, all residents should be aware that this is a scam and not give any personal information out to anyone soliciting through this type of phone call. Seminole County residents should not confuse this scam with a legitimate tax savings program through the IRS called the Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit. Those who make energy efficient improvements to their homes may obtain tax savings through the IRS as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. However, the IRS will not call regarding this property credit. Information on the Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit may be obtained by clicking here.

The IRS also provides the following additional tips:

The IRS does not send taxpayers unsolicited e-mails or about their tax accounts, tax situations or personal tax issues. If you receive such an e-mail, most likely it's a scam. IRS impersonation schemes flourish during filing season. These schemes may take place via phone, fax, Internet sites, social networking sites and particularly e-mail. Many impersonations are identity theft scams that try to trick victims into revealing personal and financial information that can be used to access their financial accounts. Some e-mail scams contain attachments or links that, when clicked, download malicious code (virus) that infects your computer or direct you to a bogus form or site posing as a genuine IRS form or Web site. Some impersonations may be commercial Internet sites that consumers unknowingly visit, thinking they're accessing the genuine IRS Web site, IRS.gov. However, such sites have no connection to the IRS.

For more information on scams and what to do if you're subject to one,

For other than phishing schemes, you may report the fraudulent misuse of the IRS name, logo, forms or other IRS property by calling the TIGTA toll-free hotline at 1-800-366-4484 or visiting the TIGTA Web site.